Javelin

RangedPrimitiveAbyssal TerrorsTiers I–IV

Every 5th/4th/3rd/2nd projectile has +100% Crit Chance
Piercing: 2/3/4/5 (-25% damage)

Unlock: Available from the start
Starting weapon for: 17 characters

Community builds that use it

CaptainStay on one to three weapons for most of the run to boost level-ups and XP, buy every XP item, and add weapons late; Spear, Javelin and Shredder are recommended starts. Luck makes level-ups better.
CreatureCurse provides flat damage, so stack Curse and lock shop items so they become cursed, with Fish Hook to get more. SMG or other ranged weapons tolerate the Range loss best; Javelin is a reported alternative, and capped Dodge protects against cursed enemies.
CuriousAvoid duplicate weapons and mostly buy single copies of items; chase loot aliens with high base damage or elemental burn weapons. Javelin, Icicle, Double Barrel Shotgun and Brick are named entry points.
DruidPicking up fruit grants Luck, so Lutes (Luck and Harvesting) or Pruners (more fruit) are the main weapons, with Baby Elephant and Cyberball turning Luck into damage. Healing is limited to fruit, Cute Monkey and similar items.
GeneralistPair three melee and three ranged weapons that scale with flat damage, such as Cacti Club or Spear with Slingshot, SMG or Javelin, and favour items that give both Melee and Ranged Damage. Ghost weapon and crit (Knife/Shuriken) combinations are also reported.
KingRush tier-2+ weapons to avoid the tier-1 penalty; cheap high-base-damage Pistols are the most cited, with Fist, Hatchet, Spear, Spiky Shield and Javelin also viable. Luck raises the chance of higher-tier weapons.
LoudThe extra enemies supply materials, so skip Harvesting and pick weapons that handle crowds: Spear, Jousting Lance, Lightning Shiv and Thief Dagger for melee, Double Barrel Shotgun, Shredder, SMG or Slingshot for ranged. Take items that add more enemies.
RenegadeUse single-projectile weapons that gain most from the +2 projectiles: SMG with Ranged Damage and Life Steal, Revolver or Laser Gun, or Ghost Scepter. Buy every new tier-1 item to offset the -80% Damage; explosive guns, Javelin and Flute builds are also reported.
SoldierStand still to shoot and move only to dodge: Double Barrel Shotgun, SMG or Revolver with lots of Ranged Damage plus some Max HP, Dodge or Life Steal. Javelins (scaling with Melee Damage) are another reported option.
WildlingSix Sticks (the starting extra Stick included) with the +30% Primitive Life Steal is the default; Spear, Javelin, Hatchet and Slingshot are alternatives within the tier-2 weapon cap.

Stats by tier

Tier I Common
Damage
8 (+100% Melee Damage)
Cooldown
1.2s
Crit
x2.5 (0% chance)
Range
350
Tier II Uncommon
Damage
12 (+100% Melee Damage)
Cooldown
1.12s
Crit
x2.75 (0% chance)
Range
375
Tier III Rare
Damage
16 (+100% Melee Damage)
Cooldown
1.03s
Crit
x3 (0% chance)
Range
400
Tier IV Legendary
Damage
20 (+100% Melee Damage)
Cooldown
0.95s
Crit
x3.25 (0% chance)
Range
425

Damage in brackets is added from your stats before %Damage multiplies the total; see the damage formula or the calculator.

DPS at tier IV

21.1 DPS with no stats, 42.1 at 20 Melee Damage and 73.7 at 50 (single target, every projectile hits, crits averaged): #47 of 58 weapons that scale with Melee Damage. Full ranking or your own stats.